City of Lowell -Planning Board

Planning Board Agenda

Monday, August 21, 2006 6:30 P.M.

City Council Chambers, City Hall

City of Lowell, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA

Approval of Minutes: June 5, 2006 & June 19, 2006

Roll Call of Neighborhood Groups

Zoning Amendment: Accessory Dwelling Unit, et al

The Lowell Planning Board will consider ordinances to amend “The Code of Ordinances City of Lowell, Massachusetts,” with respect to Appendix A thereof entitled “Zoning,” amending Article V: Dimensional Requirements, adding Article II: Definitions: Accessory Dwelling Unit, and adding Section 8.4: Accessory Dwelling Units.

Special Permit: 46 Hayes Avenue

The Lowell Planning Board will review an application by Justin Thibeault for a Special Permit needed according to Section 5.1.10 of the Zoning Code in order to construct a house at 46 Hayes Avenue. The proposal seeks relief from the minimum lot width required by zoning from the front lot line of the property to the front wall of the structure. The required lot width for this site, located in the TSF (Traditional Neighborhood Single Family) zoning district, is 46.2 ft. The proposed narrowest width is 37.6 ft, or 8.6 feet less than the required width.

Site Plan & Special Permit: 82 Riverside Street

The Lowell Planning Board will review an application by Merrimack Riverside Realty, LLC & Arthur Fosse, Jr. for site plan and special permit review of the development of the property located at 82 Riverside Drive. The proposal includes the construction of five (5) new townhouse style units on a 28,623 square foot lot located in the TMF (Traditional Neighborhood Multi-family) zoning district. The proposal also includes the conversion of the site's existing two (2) family house into a single-family dwelling, for a total of six (6) units on the site, with associated landscaping and required parking. This project requires site plan approval under Section 11.4, special permit approval under Section 9.4: Neighborhood Character Special Permit, and special permit approval under Article XII of the Lowell Zoning Ordinance. Site plan and special permit applications will be heard concurrently for this project.

Site Plan & Special Permit: 511 Moody Street

The Lowell Planning Board will review an application by Acre Triangle Community Development Corporation for site plan and special permit review for a project located at 511 Moody Street, St. Joseph's Apartments. The site is located at the corner of Moody Street and James Street in the UMF (Urban neighborhood Multi-Family) zoning district, and comprises 15,000sqft of land area. The proposed development includes the renovation of an existing historic school building into 15 units of affordable housing, ranging in size from 625 to 1,175 sqft. The proposed plan includes parking for thirteen (13) vehicles, which access to the site off Moody Street. Approval is required for Site Plan under Section 11.4 and for Special Permit under Article XII: Table of Uses of the Lowell Zoning Ordinance.

Repetitive Petition: 26-28 North Street

The Lowell Planning Board will review an application to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) by Barbara L. Palermo for variances to subdivide the property located at 26-28 North Street. On June 16, 2005, the ZBA took an “unfavorable action” on another proposal at this site. In order for the ZBA to consider the merits of this new application, the Planning Board must consent that the new application contains specific and material changes from the first application. The Planning Board will take this vote at the conclusion of the public hearing.

Pre-Application Sessions:

The following individuals have requested for the Planning Board to provide a preliminary review of their proposed project at the addresses listed below. These are not public hearings. Each project will require a public hearing as noted below.

Applicant: Stravros Panagiotopoulos / Butler Ventures, LLC

Project: Construction of commercial, retail, & residential complex

Zoning: DMU (Downtown Mixed Use)

Required Review: Site Plan & Special Permit

Administrative Adjustment: 975 Varnum Avenue: D'Youville Senior Care

The Board will discuss proposed minor changes to the parking layout of the development project at the D'Youville Senior Care site located at 975 Varnum Avenue. The Board approved this project on June 5, 2006.

Discussion: Planning Board Application forms

The Planning Board will discuss proposed updates to the various forms used during the Board's application submittal process.

UPDATE: Julian Steele Site

Residents First Development Corp will discuss updates to the Julian Steele development site.

Planning Board Agenda

August 21, 2006 - Page 2